03 MEETING HIM AGAIN

ABIGAIL

I stood frozen near the closed door, scared. My sweat is now rolling down my back because of fear. Five pairs of eyes looking at me brought more fear all over my body.

"Miss, are you just going to stand there? One of them said. He has this mohawk hair and a bit bulky body. I jerked, startled. The tray that I was holding almost fell, but I was glad that it didn't because I was sure I was going to lose my job.

"I'm sorry, sir. Here's your drink." I slowly walk near their table and serve their drinks in front of them. He's handsome and hot, but why were his eyes fixed on me? Oh my god, I hope he won't recognize me.

"If you need anything else, sir, just call me." I hurriedly went to the door, eager to leave.

"Wait!!! More sweat formed on my forehead when I heard his voice. I'm going to die now. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before I turned around and faced them, wearing the sweetest smile I could master on my lips.

"Yes, sir?" He was looking at my face, and then he stood up. Oh no, I'm going to die. He stopped a few feet away from me. I could smell his minty scent, loved that smell, but I didn't want that smell to be my last breath. I still want to finish my studies and find a boyfriend. I don't even have my first kiss. He slowly raised his right hand, which scared me more.

"I'm sorry, sir." I quickly brought both arms in front of me to cover myself from any blow and stepped back, cowering away, scared like a puppy.

"Are you okay?"

"Huh? I asked, looking so stupid in front of him. His friends snickered behind him, looking at me. Thank you, Lord, so much. He doesn't remember me.

"Why are you saying sorry? You did nothing wrong. I only want to know your name if we want your service later, and you look familiar. Have we met before?"

"Huh? umm!! No, we didn't." I vigorously shook my head, causing his friend to chuckle, but I didn't care. My name is Abigail, sir. If you'll excuse me, I still have a customer to attend." I hurriedly left the room and closed the door behind me, with my heart pounding hard inside my chest.

I lean at the closed door, clutching my chest in relief that he didn't recognize me. I took a deep breath, wiped my sweat using the back of my hand, and returned to Jay, who was grinning at me.

"Why are you sweating? Some asshole customers?" He asked while mixing some drinks. I nod in response, sitting at one of the bar stools, waiting for the next customer to serve their order.

"Abigail room five." They want you the one to serve this to them, and they want you the one to serve them throughout the night. I'm sure you'll have a big tip in there. Seems like they love your service." I clicked my tongue, took the tray, and went to room five. I knock twice, then enter. The guy earlier who grabbed my ID and slipped money in my breast pocket quickly stood up smiling. I smile back and carefully put their drink in front of them.

"Abigail, can you join us?"

"I'm sorry, sir, but it wasn't part of my job." I quickly declined. His friends smirked at him with a mocking look in their eyes.

"I'll give you a big tip." He offered.

"I'm sorry, sir. I really can't. If you want a girl to sit with your groups, you can ask our manager." I suggested.

"I don't want anyone. I want you." He said and stepped closer to me. I quickly stepped back and felt fears slowly building up inside me. He reached out his hand, but I quickly slapped it away and walked backward toward the door, my finger ready to press at the tiny gadget pinned in front of my blouse to alert our bouncer if he did something to me.

"I'm sorry if I scare you." He said, both hands up in surrender. "I just want to introduce myself. "I'm Carlo." He smiled, reaching out his hand for a handshake.

"Nice meeting you, Sir Carlo. " I smiled awkwardly and shook his hand. "But I need to leave now. I still have customers to serve."

"It's okay. I hope when we come here next time, you're still the one to serve us."

"No problem, sir, just tell that to our manager." He smiled and nodded his head. I bowed my head at them and then stepped out of the room.

I let out a sigh of relief as soon as I left the room. I returned to Jay and sat on the stool in front of him. "This is for you." He grinned, handing me a $100 bill.

"This is mine? Are you sure?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes, the guy said it's for Abigail before they leave. The guy from room four."

"Wow, this is big."

"I know. You're lucky."

"Maybe this is my lucky day." Jay laughed and messed up my hair. Jay is a friend of mine and also like a brother. He was there when my mom passed away a year ago to comfort me together with Cora and Mia and a shoulder to cry on.

An hour later, the group in room 5 stepped out of their room. Carlo quickly went to me, smiling. "Hi, Abigail." I smile at him in return and slightly bow my head. "This is for you." He handed me $100. My eyes bulge. Another $100, oh my, this is really my lucky night.

"This is a lot, sir."

"Take it, it's alright. I hope when we come back here, you're still the one to serve us."

"I'm only here every Saturday, sir," I replied.

"Oh, that's why I didn't see you before. It's nice meeting you, Abigail. I hope to see you again."

"Nice meeting you too, sir, and thank you."

"You're welcome." He smiled and then left together with his friends.

"Oh my Jay, this is really my lucky night." I grinned.

"I know, right." Jay laughed.

****

The following day, I went to the Police station around eight in the morning. Officer Lee was already inside his office, grinning at me.

"Good morning, Miss Abigail." He smiled.

"Morning, Sir."

"Sorry, I can't accompany you right now. I have lots of work to do, but I'll check the street after you finish later. The things you need are already outside. Just ask the janitor over there, and get your ID here after you finish."

"Okay, sir." I quickly went out and asked the janitor for the things I needed and started my work. I sigh, sweeping the street with sweat all over me. The sun is now up high, and the weather is hot.

I rested briefly, took off my cap, and sat under the tree, panting. I fan myself to lessen the heat I feel. I closed my eyes, leaning at the three to rest for a few minutes, but was startled when I felt a car stop near me.

I quickly bolted up from my sitting position, and I gasped to see the man who stepped out of the car. I shrieked and quickly sprinted away, scared. Oh my god, does he not have a plan to stop chasing me? It's just a picture as if he'll die because of it.

"I glanced behind me, and I shrieked in fear when I saw him chasing after me.

"Yah! come here." He screamed.

"Hell no, what if he choked me to death." I ran faster and hurriedly crossed the street and sprinted back to the Police station, the place where I was sure he couldn't hurt me. I hid behind the door, peeking outside. I saw him walking back and forth in front of the Police station while wiping his sweat harshly.

"Hey! I jumped in fright when someone tapped my shoulder. I quickly looked back, and the grinning officer Lee greeted me.

"Are you done?" He asked again, smiling.

"Huh? Ah no. I want to drink water, I lied."

"Ah, okay, you can get water in my office. There's a water dispenser there, but why are you hiding behind the door and peeking outside." He asked and looked outside. I sighed in relief when the guy earlier wasn't there anymore.

"No, sir." I lied again.

"Whatever. Go drink some water and go back to work." I quickly nodded my head and went inside his office, drank water, and then went out after. I went back to the street, making sure the guy earlier wasn't there anymore. I breathed a thank to god when I couldn't find him in there. I hurriedly finished my work, hoping he wouldn't come back again.

After thirty minutes, finally, I'm done. I hurriedly returned to the Police Station, got my ID from Officer Lee, and hurriedly went home.